Make Your Own Havaianas (MYOH) has become a beloved summer tradition for many Filipino families. Combining our love for summer, shopping, and all things bright and fun in larger-than-life setups with grand themes like imagination and the streets of Brazil, the flip-flops customization event may belong to a Brazilian brand, but it truly captures the Pinoy heart and celebrates its spirit.
On its 11th year, MYOH goes back to the brand’s (surprising) Japanese roots in a fun fete of all things Nippon – robots, sushi, sakura (cherry blossoms), ninjas, and so much more. This makes #MYOH2016, not just a fun shopping event for the family, but also an educational one!
Here are 5 Japanese lessons the kids can learn at Make Your Own Havaianas 2016 this weekend, April 22-24 at the SM Mega Fashion Hall.
Trivia and a little bit of history
The design of Havaianas was actually inspired by the zori, traditional Japanese sandals with soles made of rice straw. That’s why to this day, every pair of Havaianas has a rice pattern on the bottom.
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So much more is shared between the Land of the Rising Sun and exotic Brazil, which is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan! Another awesome product of this mix is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As for mixes at #MYOH2016, suggested combinations have pretty interesting names. There’s Hokusai, which is named after the renowned Japanese artist and printmaker behind “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”.
By Katsushika Hokusai (Japan, 1760-1849) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
There’s also Torii which is iconic gate seen at the entrance of Shinto shrines, separating the physical and spiritual worlds. Koi is also great to show tots, introducing the much needed concept of Zen in our lives.
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The value of hard work
Every year, “MYOH kids” sign up for a week-long summer job assembling pairs at this grand event. They’re on their feet all day and their hands are sore by the end it, but the memories and friendships they make are well worth the effort. Sounds like the good old Japanese work ethic!
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Creativity & innovation is richer when rooted in culture
The country at the forefront of breakthrough technology never fails to look back and learn from its history, culture, and tradition.
This profound concept is evident in the 2016 MYOH limited edition commemorative pair, named and designed after “Shibori”, the ancient method of indigo-dyeing.
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This pair is a sweet marriage of old and new as indigo is a huge summer fashion trend this year.
The #MYOH2016 selection of pins is also a quirky mix of old and modern Japan, featuring historic figures such as the empress, ninja, and a sumo wrestler, along with pop icons like beer and a robot. There is, of course, everyone’s favorite timeless beauty, the sakura.
The kids will have fun accessorizing flip-flops and expressing their playful brand of creativity with these pins.
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More Japanese lessons from Make Your Own Havaianas 2016 on the next page.
A lesson on humility.
Respect and humility are treasured values in Japanese culture and they show this every day by bowing. An interesting way this is seen in MYOH is their yearly tradition of having celebrity assemblers. The biggest stars work the floor alongside MYOH kids, assembling customers’ flip-flops.
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This year’s roster includes Julia Barretto, Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, Mika Reyes, Bailey May, Ylona Garcia, Laura Lehmann, and Von Pessumal.
A Japanese phrase or two
Teach the kids how to greet in Japanese (“Ohayōgozaimasu!”) and handy words like “arigatōgozaimashita (thank you)” and “sumimasen (excuse me/ sorry)”. We’re sure they’ll be repeating these to their friends right after.
Have fun and see you (mata ne)!
For more information on #MYOH2016, visit myoh.havaianasphilippines.com and Havaianas Philippines Facebook page and follow @havaianasphils on Instagram.
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